how do I claim any money/benefits as ive left my job due to my illness

[evo74]

17months have passed and to be honest im no further forward, still having ulcers in mouth and down below but not often down below, my bones ache, I suffer from headaches, and to be truthful ive just finished my job because I couldn't take it any longer, I have a sick note that says I have behcets disease but no one has actually confirmed it to me, last week I had chest xrays and hands and feet xrayed due to my aches, I go back to see my dermatologist/rhumetologist and gynaecologist in jan and have blood test every fortnight as im on dapsone and prednisolone when I have flair ups, can anyone advise on what I need to do? many thanks

[Hidden]

Hi, Sounds like you are in a pretty bad place at the moment!!

Sorry if I am giving you false info.....I'm no expert by any means where claiming benefits is concerned I'm afraid, but I do know that the old DLA has been changed to something called PIP, and from what I can make out it is a lot harder to claim than the old DLA.

Before I was properly diagnosed and managed with meds I used to suffer really badly with mouth ulcers and ones down below. I would get migraines that would last for days at a time and bowel problems that were just unreal.

Thankfully I have a fantastic G.P and the team I am under at the hospital are good if I get to see certain consultants. My last visit I saw what I can only imagine was some student straight out of med school on a placement. Anyway that is another story and I don't want to bore you with that....

Sounds to me like you are not yet being managed correctly with the right meds. I take a whole load of meds which keep my symptoms at a manageable level for the most part. Don't get me wrong not every day is a good one and sometimes there are long periods where more days seem to be bad than good, but on the whole life is much easier than it was before I got diagnosed.

My advice is get on your consultants case and see if you can be seen sooner than January. January may only be a few months away, but starting on treatment that will help you a few months earlier might just make a whole world of difference to you hun.

On the benefits side there is a whole load of info online in the Behcets Syndrome Society Website, under the information dropdown.

Hope this helps.

Hugs

Clare

x x

[tinkmbs]

Hi there

Sorry to here your suffering it's really hard with this condition most of the time so I feel for you. As Clare said you need a diagnosis to get the right treatment

As for benefits you need to make a claim for ESA Employment and support allowance which replaces income support/incapacity benefits you can do this on line or by phone. Also as Clare said you can also make a claim for PIP Personal independence payment.

Good luck and take care

Sue x

[Roxybaby in reply to tinkmbs]

Hi can you tell me if you can claim these if your married pls? X

[tinkmbs]

Hi there

Yes of course you can any or both of those two benefits.

Take care sue x